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Rangers lead on waiver claims

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Tolleson snags comebacker 0:20

4/12/14: Shawn Tolleson reaches back and snags a sharp comebacker from Carlos Corporan to end the inning

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- According to a study by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the Rangers have claimed 12 players off of waivers since April 17, 2013. That's the most by any Major League team. The Cubs were second with eight players claimed.

The Rangers' two biggest prizes were pitcher Shawn Tolleson from the Dodgers and infielder Donnie Murphy from the Cubs. Tolleson, going into Friday night's game, had pitched in 10 games with the Rangers and had a 3.38 ERA. Murphy was hitting .220 with one home run and seven RBI in 20 games while sharing second base with Josh Wilson.

"It's a pretty inexpensive way to find talent and a chance for our scouts to pick up players they want to take a look at," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Usually a guy on waivers has some sort of hickey, so to speak, but we like giving our staff a chance to work with them, see if we can get production. Given some of the trades we've made the last few years, we've also had opportunity at the upper levels to give guys a chance."

The Rangers also claimed pitchers Pedro Figueroa from the Rays and Seth Rosin from the Dodgers. Figueroa pitched in 10 games for the Rangers and was 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA before suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Rosin, who was a Rule 5 Draft pick, appeared in three games before being returned to the Phillies.

Catcher Chris Gimenez, claimed from the Athletics, was on the Opening Day roster but has since being outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock. The only other waiver claim to play for the Rangers was infielder Adam Rosales, who was claimed twice from the Athletics last summer. The other claimed players were outfielders Alex Castellanos, Joe Benson and Rafael Ortega, infielder Andy Parrino, pitchers Edwar Cabrera and Chaz Roe.